MarionrockstheworldWelcome to the enchanting state of Veracruz, Mexico! 🌴 Known for its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and rich history, Veracruz is a must-visit destination for any traveler. In this travel guide, we will take you through the top places to visit in Veracruz, from the picturesque heights of Orizaba to the historic streets of Veracruz City. Whether you’re looking for beaches in Veracruz, charming colonial towns, or adventurous activities, this Veracruz travel guide will help you craft the perfect Veracruz itinerary for your next vacation.
As we did for the state of Chiapas, we would like to offer you an extensive but non-exhaustive travel guide of the marvelous state of Veracruz, place of so many natural splendors.
If you read the other guide, you know it now; like most mexican states, Veracruz is an incredibly diverse state in many way – Diversity of climates (mainly tropical climate, but also mountain climate!), of landscapes (coffee plantations, lake, tropical coast or mountains), but also of cultures and food! If you want to discover an authentic México, very unknown from internationals, we strongly recommend this breathtaking state.
Step 1. Orizaba – The Charming town surrounded with mountains
Our Veracruz Travel Guide starts with Orizaba, our first stop of the itinerary. Orizaba is a picturesque city nestled in the foothills of Pico de Orizaba, the highest peak in Mexico. Known for its stunning natural beauty and historical architecture, this charming city is a perfect start to your Veracruz itinerary.
Must-Visit Sites:
- Pico de Orizaba: Hike on the majestic views of the tallest volcano in North America. Only for the most adventurous.
- Iron Palace: A historical building with intricate ironwork that stands as a testament to Orizaba’s rich history.
- Cable Car: Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Orizaba and the surrounding landscapes.
- Mercado de flores Venustiano Carranza: a big market full of flowers
- Alameda Francisco Gabilondo Soler : a nice square / park where to have a walk
- Several view points (mirador) to reach :
📍Cerro del Borrego : Beautiful view on the city. If you wonder a bit, you will see a beautiful on the pico de Orizaba. For that, I advise you to get there early in the morning. As it gets cloudy, the mountains disappear behind the clouds. You can either hike there or take the cable car.
📍Cerro de Escamela : We don’t advice the trail from Alltrails that goes on the south side of the cerro. It was very difficult and the final point was very dissapointing. We better advice the traditional hike path to it (starting calle Jilgueros)
How to get there :
🚌 We started there as we were in Puebla, and there are direct buses between both cities.
Where to eat :
📍Restaurant La Borda : a super nice place for a delicious breakfast, and a great view from the rooftop
📍Kaffé Real : Coffee place / bar with a nice view on the river
📍Backhand Coffee: Coffee place in an interior colonial courtyard
📍 Urban food park : kind of a food market place, with several options to eat and have a drink.
Step 2. Coatepec – Coffee Lover’s Paradise
Coatepec, a quaint town famous for its high-quality coffee, offers a serene retreat for coffee enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Must-Visit Sites:
- Coffee Museums: Discover the history and process of coffee cultivation in the region.
- Local Plantations: Visit coffee plantations to see where the magic happens and enjoy fresh coffee.
- Mirador Cerro de las Culebras : there is a mirador where you will find this red tower as well as a beautiful view on the surrouding mountains. Very easy to reach, at around 20min from the city center. You will have the best view on the city from there!
How to get here:
🚌 We took a bus from Orizaba to Xalapa, and then Xalapa to Coatepec.
Best Cafes:
📍You can buy local coffee to Bola de Oro
📍Café Buenaventura: Lovely coffee with an interior courtyard
Step 3. Xico – The Hidden Gem of Veracruz
Xico is a beautiful colonial town with a rich history and stunning architecture that takes you back in time. This destination is perfect for adventure seekers and nature lovers. There are beautiful hikes to do from this village, and the the surrounding nature is stunning. Depending on the hikes, you can find canyons, waterfalls, coffee fields,…
The main highlight was the Xico Waterfalls: A natural wonder with picturesque views. The atmosphere there was so special. It was so beautiful and so unknown, I even hesitated to share this spot with you ! But this is clearly my favorite spot of this Veracruz travel guide, so here it is.
It’s about an hour’s walk from the village. To get there, you descend through a canyon to reach the bottom of the waterfall. You can also see this waterfalls from the top. It’s a complete different hike from the village. You have a nice mirador where you can see the waterfall in the middle of the jungle, which stretches as far as the eye can see.
How to get to Xico ?
🚌 There is a direct route of colectivo between Coatepec and Xico.
Where to sleep : There’s not much option in Xico. We stayed at OYO Hotel Coyopolan
Step 4. Catemaco – Mystical and Natural Wonders
The village of Catemaco, is situated on the shores of a lake, one of the largest lakes of Mexico. Catemaco is known for its mystical ambiance and natural beauty, due to tradition of sorcery/witchcraft.
Catemaco is offering a peaceful escape. There’s a lot to explore around this beautiful lake surrounded by lush greenery.
What to do from Catemaco:
- The Cascada El Salto de Eyipantla : This waterfall is one the biggest of the state of Veracruz. How to get there : You can find a taxi collectivo from Catemaco on the Carranza avenue to San Andres Tuxtla and stop at Sihuapan. from here you can easily take another taxi to Eyipantla.
- Book a boat tour on the lake
- Visit the Nanciyaga Ecological Reserve: A nature reserve perfect for eco-tours and nature walks
- Hikes around the lake
- The central place of the city, the parque Francisco Madero & the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Carmen. It’s also the spot where to find a bit of street food and ice cream shops.
How to get to Catemaco ?
🚌 To get to Catemaco from Xico, we had to go back to Coatepec, and then to Xalapa. From Xalapa, we took a direct bus to Catemaco.
Where to sleep :
Nomads space: a nice place to stay in a beautiful house very centered in the city. There is an amazing Mango tree in it with absolute delicious mangos that you can eat for free and a nice terass.
Where to eat :
📍Restaurante La Moyotera: Lovely place with a huge terrasse on the lake. Great for a drink or to discover the fish specialties of Catemaco. This is also a great walk from the city center, you will pass in front of the arbol magico on your way. This is a very beautiful tree considered magical by the locals.
Step 5. Costa de Oro – Beach Bliss
Costa de Oro was a real surprise. We chose to stay a few days there because it was close to Punta Roca Partida (the next step of the itinerary) but it turns out that it was a true heaven, cut off from the world. It was a great place to rest, enjoy the sea, the beaches and the seafood.
How to get there ?
🚌 From Catemaco, we found a colectivo that took us directly to Costa de Oro. Go to Terminal de piratas.
Where to sleep :
It is complicated to find options online. And I would not recommend the room we booked. We had to leave sooner than planed due to the condition of the room (and even though we are not really complicated and we always choose the cheapest option during our year of travel in Mexico !).
Where to eat :
Try the places that are directly on the beach for fresh fish and seafood.
Step 6. Punta Roca Partida – Adventure Awaits
For adventure seekers, Punta Roca Partida offers a range of exciting outdoor activities.
Key Spots:
- Diving Sites: Explore underwater wonders at one of the best diving locations in Veracruz.
- Rock Formations: Marvel at unique rock formations and enjoy outdoor adventures.
How to get there ?
🥾Roca Partida is really close to Costa de Oro. There’s a nice walk to do to get there, which takes around an hour.
Step 7. Veracruz City – History and Culture
Our Veracruz travel guide ends with the capital of the state, Veracruz City, that combines rich history with vibrant culture. Definitely a nust-do in the itinerary.
Must-see:
- San Juan de Ulúa: A historic fortress and former prison with rich historical significance.
- Catedral de Veracruz (Nuestra Señora de la Asunción)
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Zócalo de Veracruz
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Mercado Hidalgo
- Barrio de la Huaca : A very colorful neighborhood and a place with more than three centuries of history that was originally home to slaves from the African continent
How to get there ?
🚌 From Costa de Oro, we found a colectivo that took us to nearest town, where we were able to take a bus to Veracruz City. It is the same colectivo that goes from Catemaco to Costa de Oro, the fianl stop is Angel R. Cabada. There you stop at the bus station. Fom here, you can take a ticket for the next bus (ADO bus) to Veracruz (2h15).
Where to eat:
📍Tampico Mariscos : it’s a seafood restaurant. I recommend the Ceviche!
📍Gran Café del Portal (Centro Histórico): a famous and typical cafe in Veracruz
📍Nevería Güero Güera: Pasele Guero Guera! The historical ice cream brand of Veracruz
📍Faro del Malecón: a nice walk to do at day or night to enjoy the seaview.
I hope you liked this Veracruz travel guide, one of my favourite itinerary I’ve done in mexico. Veracruz is a destination for the adventurous travelers. From the breathtaking heights of Orizaba to the cultural richness of Veracruz City, this itinerary covers the best places to visit in Veracruz. Whether you’re soaking in the sun on Costa de Oro or exploring the mystical charm of Catemaco, Veracruz promises an unforgettable adventure. Plan your itinerary trip today and discover the magic of Veracruz, a state that truly captures the heart of Mexico. For more tips and photography, follow me on Instagram.